Dance & Aux Forum

This is for those out of town bands who get Really tired before they reach the Bridge. I just want yall to slow down a bit. These are tips that will help you Survive all 7 miles.of the uptown route .. parades such as Bacchus, Orpheus, Morpheus, Hermes etc. are the uptown route parades.

At line up Whether on Tchoupitoulas or Napoleon Streets. If you're awaiting to be positioned  Do not Just stand there watching other bands play, Get in on the action and Crank at somebody..

Fact., They really don't Allow bands to Battle at line up, now days. so just pretend to "Warm up" while facing somebody elses band. lol

Napoleon Ave. is the first street, There's no need to blow the best thing in your repertoire. at least until you hit the Turn at Napoleon & St Charles Ave.

Crank up  & Pick up your feet at at all turns. There aren't many of them so you gotta look good while doing it.  (Start the song BEFORE you Make the turn )

You do not have to Pop 90's a whole parade. there are certain times and locations for that..

2nd  is St Charles Ave  Is the Longest Continuous Street on the Route. From Napoleon @ St. Charles to the Bridge is 2 miles long.  No need to High step the whole way..maybe on specific tunes & cadences. but not too much.. Save all that energy for the Bridge. Gallier Hall and Canal Street.

You will stop many times on this street. .If there's a long halt in the parade. Crank up a tune.or do a dance routine do something so the crowd

It's best to go 3 cadences to 1 song. or 4 cadences to 2 songs ...up until you're able to see The  bridge.Once you See the Bridge in your sight you'll notice more Black people on the streets . thats when  you'll likely want to Switch up Doing 2 Songs 2 cadences or 1 song 2 cadences. 

The Street begins to widen  at this point. If your band is small and are marching a 5 or 6 man front Do Not spread out to the edges of the street. stay in the pocket it looks better on camera (lol)

WHEN HEADING TO THE BRIDGE!...  

Do Not  Blow The Whistle /  Roll off  a tune until your drum major reaches the Overhead Stop Light. at that point you'll be Marching beneath the bridge..

Crank the best (or most powerful) thing you have when coming beneath the bridge If not the Crowd will not pay attention to you. Beneath the majority of people beneath the bridge are New Orleans band Students,  Alumni as well as college students and Alumni.  Everybody's watching, everybody's recording  Come correct beneath that thing or the crowd will start booing lol. 

If you're at a halt beneath the bridge, play multiple tunes, entertain the crowd ...

After The Bridge is Lee Circle, Don't play anything until your turning away from the Circle ... you don't have "Crank" for next 5 blocks.. .. I'd  Perfer you to play Cadences All the way up to Gallier Hall (Its a Big white building) .. They'll be heavy lighting and Reviewing stands.  there .. It's where "The Judges" it's also where the TV crew's are.  are.  CRANK UP. LOOK GOOD, SOUND GOOD. Once you're done with that.. you don't have to play anything until you hit Canal street..

On At The Turn on Canal Street March, March March..If you're small remember to stay in pocket, keep the sound heavy.   2 songs  2 cadences. then 1 song 1 cadence the whole way thru...  .. When you Turn off canal street.. play some tunes, you don't have to crank then becaus techically it's the end of the parade. ...

if the parade apears to be in continuation. play some songs but you don't need to play them at high volume, it's unnecessary..

Night Parades like bacchus & orpheus normally roll thru the convention center If it looks like you're heading to the Covention center .. This is at the very end of the route... Crank up the whole way through.. even while exiting  the big hall. because it's very likely that somebody will be recording. when you're exiting the gates.

THE END.. Go Home or Rest up til the next parade.

Other than that.. Be safe, have fun, don't overdo it